One Rainy Chat That Launched a Creative Hub

From One Rainy Market Day to a Creative Hub: The Magic of Teme Valley Artisans

If someone had told me last December—on that wet, windswept Christmas market day when stallholders were clinging to gazebos and customers were few and far between—that a conversation over a flask of tea would lead to something this special, I’m not sure I’d have believed them.

But here we are.

The Teme Valley Artisans shop has only been open for a short while, and already, it’s becoming everything I’d hoped for… and so much more.

I can’t quite put into words how blown away I’ve been by the response from fellow artisans. The flood of interest from talented makers wanting to join us has been overwhelming (in the best way). There’s clearly a hunger for something like this—a permanent space that celebrates the handmade, the local, and the lovingly crafted. Not just a place to sell, but a place to belong.

The energy in the shop is incredible. Visitors walk through the door and their eyes light up—every shelf, corner, and wall offers something different. Ceramics, silver jewellery, textiles, artwork, woodcraft… all made with care, all made close to home. That matters. People feel it when they come in.

But perhaps what’s most heart warming is what’s happening behind the scenes. Artisans who didn’t know each other a few weeks ago are now bouncing around marketing ideas, planning collaborations, suggesting new products to one another. There’s a real buzz. It’s no longer just about selling—it's about growing together.

This little shop, born out of a soggy, low-footfall day when many of us felt like packing it all in, has become a thriving hub. It’s a reminder that even the bleakest days can sow the seeds of something beautiful.

To everyone who’s walked through the doors, shown support, joined our community, or simply stopped to say, “This is wonderful”—thank you. You’ve helped turn a spark of an idea into something full of life, warmth, and endless potential.

And to any local makers still sitting on the fence about whether this space is for you—come in, have a chat, see what’s happening. You might just find your new creative home.

With gratitude and muddy hands,

Sarah x

Sez Les Ceramics